PARIS - Senegal’s football chief vows a “moral and legal crusade” after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) stripped the nation of its Africa Cup of Nations title. The decision followed Senegal’s walk-off protest over a disputed penalty in the January 18 final against Morocco - a game they later won 1-0 in extra time.
“This is crude, absurd, irrational,” said lawyer Juan de Dios Crespo Perez. “If upheld, future World Cup winners could be decided in law firms, not on the pitch.”
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), demanding an expedited ruling. Normally a 9-12 month process, lawyers argue CAF’s reversal lacked legal explanation - meaning Senegal remains champion until proven otherwise.
FSF President Abdoulaye Fall declared: “We refuse fatality.” Fans await whether the trophy will appear at Saturday’s friendly vs Peru in Paris.